Kid's Activity Page!
Make your own Volcano!
Using the following materials, you can make a model of an erupting volcano:
Modeling clay
Dish washing liquid
Plastic tray or cardboard box lid
Red food coloring
Small mixing bowl
1/4 c. vinegar
Soda bottle
1 tbs. baking soda
Funnel
1/4 c. water
Mold the modeling clay into the shape of a volcano. Scoop out a hole about 2" deep to form the volcano's vent. Mix the water, two drops of food coloring, and baking soda, and a few drops of dish washing detergent into a mixing bowl. Pour the mixture into the hole at the top of the volcano.
Add the vinegar to the mixture in the hole and watch the volcano erupt!
Make your own Geyser!
Volcanic plumes on Io are similar to geysers on Earth. You can make your own geyser using the following materials:
A large bowl filled with water
Plastic funnel
Flexible soda straw
Towel
Place the wide end of the funnel into the water with the narrow end sticking out above the water's surface. Make sure that the water covers more than half of the funnel. Place the soda straw into the water just beneath the base of the funnel and blow into it as hard as you can. Water will spew out from the top of the funnel just like a geyser. Use the towel to clean up any spilled water.
Bake your own Lava Flow! (Adult supervision required)
Using the following materials you can bake your own lava flow:
4 tbs. of cocoa
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. milk
1c. self-rising flour
2 tablespoons margarine
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. sugar
1 c. very hot tap water
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Mix the flour, sugar, margarine, milk, salt, and 2 tbs. of the cocoa in a bowl. Pour the batter into a greased cake pan and mold into the shape of a volcano. Press the "volcano" down slightly forming a hole at the top. Mix 1/2 of brown sugar with the remaining 2 tsp. of cocoa and sprinkle it in the hole on top of the batter. Slowly pour 1 cup of very hot water on top of the cocoa and brown sugar mixture.
Bake for 30-40 minutes. Turn on the oven light, and watch the "lava" begin to flow. When the time is up, check to see if the cake is done by inserting a wooden toothpick into the center. When the toothpick comes out clean, remove the "volcano" from the oven. Let the lava flow cool for a few minutes before eating the volcano cake!
Solve a Crossword Puzzle!
- Io for Kids Interactive Crossword Puzzle
- Io for Kids Crossword Puzzle (for printing out)
Photo Credits: USGS